Every year the Drone Photo Awards highlight the very best aerial photography shot with drones. The competition aims to select photographs that “capture the beauty of the world seen from the skies and allow imagination to tell a story.” 

Here are 5 of the 15 finalists in this year’s competition. 

Alessandra Meniconzi’s “Frozen Land” captured villagers traversing a body of ice in the Eurasian Steppe.

“Frozen Land.” Alessandra Meniconzi/Drone Photo Awards

Meniconzi’s picture, shot in the Eurasian Steppe — a region extending from Hungary to China — took home first place in this year’s people category. 

Tugo Cheng’s “2,000,001” captured the millions of Hongkongers who took to the streets to demonstrate against a controversial extradition bill.

“2,000,001.” Tugo Cheng/Drone Photo Awards

Cheng’s picture won runner-up in the people category. 

In “On the Sea,” Roberto Corinaldesi captured the nail-biting moment dozens of swimmers headed into a wave.

“On the Sea.” Roberto Corinaldesi/Drone Photo Awards

Corinaldesi’s picture earned him first place in this year’s sport category. 

In Krzysztof Krawczyk’s “Lovers on the Field,” a couple appears to float through a field in a kayak.

“Lovers on the Field.” Krzysztof Krawczykl/Drone Photo Awards

Krawczyk’s photo of these lovebirds won runner-up in this year’s wedding category. 

The 2020 “photo of the year” was Jim Picôt’s “Love Heart of Nature,” which captured a shark caught in a heart-shaped school of salmon.

“Love Heart of Nature.” Jim Picôt/Drone Photo Awards

Jim Picôt’s award-winning shot was taken during winter at Avoca Beach in Australia.